Apparatus, methods and computer programs for wireless communication

Abstract

An apparatus including a cover defining an exterior surface of the apparatus and including a first conductive cover portion; an antenna, connected to a feed point and configured to operate in at least a first resonant frequency band; a first conductive member; a second conductive member; and wherein the first and second conductive members are configured to couple with the first conductive cover portion, the combination of the first and second conductive members and the first conductive cover portion are operable in a second resonant frequency band, different to the first resonant frequency band and are configured to be contactlessly fed by the antenna.

We claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus comprising:
 a cover defining an exterior surface of the apparatus and including a first conductive cover portion; 
 an antenna, connected to a feed point and configured to operate in at least a first resonant frequency band; 
 a first conductive member positioned between the antenna and the first conductive cover portion; 
 a second conductive member; and wherein the first and second conductive members are configured to couple with the first conductive cover portion, the combination of the first and second conductive members and the first conductive cover portion are operable in a second resonant frequency band, different to the first resonant frequency band and are configured to be contactlessly fed by the antenna, wherein the second conductive member is configured to have an electrical length selectable from a plurality of electrical lengths, wherein the second conductive member comprises a plurality of selectable portions, the plurality of selectable portions providing at least some of the plurality of electrical lengths; and 
 a support member defining an upper surface and a lower surface, the antenna being physically coupled to the lower surface of the support member and the first conductive member being physically coupled to the upper surface of the support member. 
 
     
     
       2. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second conductive members are configured to electromagnetically couple with the first conductive cover portion. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second conductive member is connected to a plurality of matching networks via a switch, the plurality of matching networks providing at least some of the plurality of electrical lengths. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of selectable portions of the second conductive member are connected to one another via a switch. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second conductive member is physically coupled to the lower surface of the support member, adjacent the antenna. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second conductive member includes a substantially planar metallic plate. 
     
     
       7. A portable device comprising an apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
       8. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a controller of the apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , perform: selecting an electrical length for the second conductive member from the plurality of electrical lengths. 
     
     
       9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as claimed in  claim 8 , encoded with instructions that perform: controlling a switch to connect the second conductive member to one of a plurality of matching networks, the plurality of matching networks providing at least some of the plurality of electrical lengths. 
     
     
       10. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as claimed in  claim 8 , encoded with instructions that perform: controlling a switch to select one of a plurality of selectable portions of the second conductive member, the plurality of selectable portions providing at least some of the plurality of electrical lengths. 
     
     
       11. A method comprising:
 providing a cover defining an exterior su face of an apparatus and including a first conductive cover portion, an antenna, connected to a feed point and configured to operate in at least a first resonant frequency band, a first conductive member, a second conductive member, the first conductive member being positioned between the antenna and the first conductive cover portion, and a support member defining an upper surface and a lower surface, the antenna being physically coupled to the lower surface of the support member and the first conductive member being physically coupled to the upper surface of the support member; 
 configuring the first and second conductive members to couple with the first conductive cover portion, the combination of the first and second conductive members and the first conductive cover portion being operable in a second resonant frequency band, different to the first, resonant frequency band; and 
 configuring the combination of the first conductive cover portion and the first and second conductive members to be contactlessly fed by the antenna, wherein the second conductive member is configured to have an electrical length selectable from a plurality of electrical lengths, wherein the second conductive member comprises a plurality of selectable portions, the plurality of selectable portions providing at least some of the plurality of electrical lengths. 
 
     
     
       12. A method as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising configuring the first and second conductive members to electromagnetically couple with the first conductive cover portion. 
     
     
       13. A method as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising connecting the second conductive member to a plurality of matching networks via a switch, the plurality of matching networks providing at least some of the plurality of electrical lengths. 
     
     
       14. A method as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising connecting the plurality of selectable portions of the second conductive member to one another via a switch. 
     
     
       15. A method as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising: physically coupling the second conductive member to the lower surface of the support member, adjacent the antenna. 
     
     
       16. A method as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the second conductive member includes a substantially planar metallic plate.